McLaren Refused to Sign Driver Because His ‘Nose Was Too Big’
It denied him the chance to partner Lewis Hamilton.
Former McLaren communications chief Matt Bishop has claimed the team refused to sign Robert Kubica based off his appearance.
Kubica is widely regarded as one of F1's greatest talents to never win the world championship, with the Canadian Grand Prix the only win to his name.
Lewis Hamilton even named him the most talented driver he has driven against in an interview back in 2019.
The Polish driver was involved in a devastating rally crash in February 2011, which left him with serious injuries to his arm.
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After years out of the sport, Kubica returned to F1 in 2019 with Williams, and beat rookie teammate George Russell by one point.
Kubica's appearance 'denied' him chance at McLaren
Despite all his talent, Kubica reportedly missed out on the chance to partner Hamilton at McLaren in 2008 due to having a large nose.
Bishop made the stunning accusation while speaking on his podcast And Colossally That’s History!
“I remember that Whitmarsh said at that time that one of the problems with Kubica, as a possible 2008 driver for McLaren, was that his nose was too big. He said that!" He reiterated.
When asked if the issue was aesthetic or aerodynamic Bishop joked, “Aesthetic, I think!
“I think he was joking, to be fair," he added.
“And if you’re listening, Martin, which I’m sure you won’t be, perhaps you can get in touch with us to explain, but I think he was joking."
Bishop claimed the obsession over a driver's appearance came from F1 legend Ron Dennis.
“But Martin could sometimes be funny like that. He thought drivers should look a certain way.
“And, of course, he’d learned that from Ron [Dennis], who was always very particular about drivers’ appearance.
“Although, to be fair to Ron, I never heard him complaining about Robert’s nose…" He joked.
Sports reporter Richard Williams also found it amusing, adding: “It’s hilarious, really, about Kubica’s nose.
“I don’t know where he’d fit now since all young drivers who come into F1 now look like members of boy bands. They do look as if they’ve been through a kind of looks grading thing.”
Tom Jenkins